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20th Poor Girls’ Open a Big Success

OCEAN CITY- The 20th Annual Captain Steve Harman Poor Girl’s Open last weekend was once again a huge success with a record number of boats and lady anglers participating, nearly $100,000 in prize money doled out to the winners in several categories and perhaps most importantly, thousands more raised for breast cancer research and awareness.
The tournament, which typically falls the weekend after the White Marlin Open, was founded by the late Captain Steve Harman and his wife Pam to provide a ladies-only fishing event with the proceeds donated to a local charity. A decision was made a few years back to make the American Cancer Society the beneficiary as a kick-off sorts for a series of “pink ribbon” events held in and around the resort area. In the years since, the Poor Girl’s Open has raised well over $100,000 for the organization and this year was no different.
A record total of 97 boats and 447 lady anglers participated in the annual tournament last weekend and $91,840 in prize money was awarded to the winners in several categories. Just 20 boats went out on the tournament’s first day last Thursday, but produced remarkable results. On Friday, 49 boats ventured out, followed by 28 more on Saturday.
In the Billfish Release Division, the team on the “Absolute Pleasure” took first place with two blue marlin and two white marlin releases and earned a tournament-high $32,000 in prize money. The crew on the “Knot Tellin” was second with one blue marlin and three white marlin releases and earned $19,200. The “Fin-Ness” crew took third place in the Billfish Release division with two blue marlin and one white marlin releases and earned $12,800.
In the Tuna Division, the “Jade II” crew swept the top two spots with the first place winner as 261-pounder caught by angler Stacy Thomas worth $7,710. Angler Holly Melson, also on the “Jade II,” took second place with a 228-pounder worth $3,726. Angler Michelle Blanchard on the “Osprey” was third with a 210-pounder worth $2,484.
In the Dolphin Division, it was angler Christina Wells on the “Absolute Pleasure” taking first place with a 20-pounder worth $7,710. Angler Steff Ostriski was second with a 16-pounder worth $3,726. Lily Phipps on the “Aqua Dance” was third with a 13-pounder worth $2,484. The 13-year-old Phipps was also named Top Junior Angler. The big winner in the tournament, however, was the American Cancer Society, which received a check for $67,500 from tournament officials during the awards ceremony.